From clinical observation that some achalasia patients drink water to help swallow food, the investigators have proposed a systemic hot water drinking therapy. This study is to observe its efficacy on achalasia symptoms and explore its mechanism.

1. Achalasia patients will participate hot water drinking therapy: to drink 200ml of hot water before and after a meal, as well as 2 hours before sleep and to chew food carefully and swallow with hot soup.
2. Patients are followed by achalasia associated symptom scores, barium esophagram and endoscopy.
3. If patients are unsatisfied with hot water drinking therapy, they receive pneumatic dilation

Inclusion Criteria:

• achalasia patients diagnosed by endoscopy, barium esophagram and manometry

Exclusion Criteria:

• could not drink water
• poor compliance
• severe comorbidities
• esophageal stenosis secondary to erosions and cancer